The Nuclear Waste Management Organization of Japan has admitted to offering students money and rewards in exchange for attending government events promoting public acceptance of hosting disposal sites for high-level radioactive nuclear waste.
"We weren't supposed to solicit participants by paying money, but the idea was not thoroughly shared inside the company," an official of the organization known as NUMO said, adding that it had confirmed no rewards were actually handed over to the participants.
NUMO, which along with the industry ministry organized the events, blamed the matter on mismanagement by a Tokyo-based marketing company that has engaged in publicity work.